Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the Peter Bacon report, showing that it will actually cost the State money to sell the Coillte harvesting rights, if he will place the terms and conditions, that have been agreed to impose on any proposed sale agreements, into the public domain. [6910/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Further to the Government decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be put forward for sale, the National Treasury Management Agency, via its NewERA Unit, has been actively engaged with Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department to examine the financial and other implications of a potential transaction.

NewERA, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department received a copy of the report, “Assessment of the Consequences of the proposed Sale of Coillte’s Timber Harvesting Rights – 10 January 2013” by Peter Bacon and Associates, commissioned by IMPACT, at the end of last month, at a meeting with the Coillte unions. The report and its findings are currently being analysed as part of the ongoing consideration process.

The outcome of the overall analysis will be considered by the Government upon its conclusion; no decision has been taken as yet.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the jobs per acre potential in forestry, the reason for the lack of investment in this sector in view of the stated commitment to job creation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6958/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I fully recognise the potential of forestry and the contribution that it makes to both employment creation and maintenance, particularly in rural areas. Most recent figures show that almost 12,000 people are employed in the forestry and forest products sector in Ireland. In economic terms, it is valued at over €2 billion annually to the Irish economy.

During the period 2009 – 2012 my Department invested almost €0.5 billion in its afforestation programme and related measures. This has led to the establishment of close to 30,000 hectares of new forests during this reference period. This year a further €112 million has been set aside for forestry to plant up to 7,000 hectares and it is my intention is to continue to invest in this sector.